Beijing Formula E, Rally Australia, Misano MotoGP
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DTM – Lausitzring: A very good morning from the far east of Germany for the eighth round of the 2014 DTM season. After some fog delays, we're only a few minutes away from the first free practice session of the weekend getting away.
Here is how the top of the points table looks after the first seven rounds:
Marco Wittmann (BMW) 120
Mattias Ekstrom (Audi) 56
Edoardo Mortara (Audi) 56
Mike Rockenfeller (Audi) 53
Bruno Spengler (BMW) 42
So, with just 75 points left on offer from the three remaining races, the big question is whether Wittmann can wrap up the title this weekend, or whether he will have to wait until Zandvoort or Hockenheim.
Here is how the top of the points table looks after the first seven rounds:
Marco Wittmann (BMW) 120
Mattias Ekstrom (Audi) 56
Edoardo Mortara (Audi) 56
Mike Rockenfeller (Audi) 53
Bruno Spengler (BMW) 42
So, with just 75 points left on offer from the three remaining races, the big question is whether Wittmann can wrap up the title this weekend, or whether he will have to wait until Zandvoort or Hockenheim.
Crash
Formula E - Beijing: Replays of that final-lap crash show that Heidfeld had a run down the straight into the last corner, got alongside Prost only for the Frenchman to turn in on him.
The contact then sent Heidfeld sideways down the escape road, where he hit a kerb and was launched into the air, hitting the wall and fence with the top of the car and then rolling again, landing upside down.
The contact then sent Heidfeld sideways down the escape road, where he hit a kerb and was launched into the air, hitting the wall and fence with the top of the car and then rolling again, landing upside down.
WRC - Australia: As Meeke suspected, he's lost third place to Mikkelsen after the superspecial.
The Norwegian has been quickest on both runnings of the short course and he goes into Sunday 1.5s ahead.
Meeke was as puzzled as everyone else by the start order for this stage, which seems to have been the reverse of Friday's superspecial results because there's a contest to see who sets the fastest time of the weekend over all the runnings of the superspecial. The prize is apparently a surfboard.
But as Meeke says, if you're in an overall podium battle, surely you should be running with the car you're battling with...
The Norwegian has been quickest on both runnings of the short course and he goes into Sunday 1.5s ahead.
Meeke was as puzzled as everyone else by the start order for this stage, which seems to have been the reverse of Friday's superspecial results because there's a contest to see who sets the fastest time of the weekend over all the runnings of the superspecial. The prize is apparently a surfboard.
But as Meeke says, if you're in an overall podium battle, surely you should be running with the car you're battling with...
WRC - Australia: Oh hello WRC timing system... the screens have reset and Mikkelsen's time has been altered - putting Meeke back into third place...
...but now they're changing again and Mikkelsen is back in third place overall.
We'll give that one five minutes before deciding who actually holds third overnight.
...but now they're changing again and Mikkelsen is back in third place overall.
We'll give that one five minutes before deciding who actually holds third overnight.
DTM - Lausitzring: While getting airborne seems to be all the rage elsewhere in the motor racing world, it's a lack of air activity that's holding up practice at the Lauzitzring. Fog is still keeping the chopper grounded, and the DTM cars in the pits. Practice now delayed by more than 50 minutes.
WRC - Australia: Latvala completes day two and says he just wants to go to bed and forget today.
He's despondent over losing the lead to Ogier this afternoon when he chose the wrong tyres for what turned out to be dry and sunny stages.
He's despondent over losing the lead to Ogier this afternoon when he chose the wrong tyres for what turned out to be dry and sunny stages.
WRC - Australia: Ogier, by contrast, thinks the battle for the lead is still very much alive. He'll be leading by about 10s overnight, but let's give the timing system a little while to settle down before saying that for sure.
Ogier also appears to have won the surfboard.
Ogier also appears to have won the surfboard.
DTM - Lausitzring: DTM practice has been pushed back to 12pm (local time). Fog still the problem.
Crash
WRC - Australia: Big drama in the WRC2 battle on this superspecial, as Jari Ketomaa rolls.
He'd been a close third in the class battle behind Yazeed Al-Rahji and Nasser Al-Attiyah.
He'd been a close third in the class battle behind Yazeed Al-Rahji and Nasser Al-Attiyah.
Breaking news
Formula E - Beijing: The results shake-ups continue in Beijing, with a penalty for Daniel Abt dropping him from third to 10th and giving Sam Bird a podium.
Formula E - Beijing: An admirably restrained and professional Heidfeld is telling reporters that he's completely unhurt but was already complaining about Prost's driving over the radio even while flying through the air upside down.
He thinks the TV pictures make the apportioning of blame pretty clear...
He thinks the TV pictures make the apportioning of blame pretty clear...
Quote
Formula E - Beijing: Prost says he didn't see Heidfeld and reckons his rival was carrying far too much speed to make the corner anyway...
Crash
Digger
WRC - Australia: The superspecial stage has been stopped while the organisers adjust the straw bale which Ketomaa hit and rolled over.
Massive amount of diligence going on here - as can be seen from the use of the digger...
WRC - Australia: More drama on the superspecial among WRC2 runners.
Several drivers were having to go again because the Ketomaa accident and related yellows forced a stoppage. Ott Tanak was among them as he stopped to help at Ketomaa's crash - but now on the re-run Tanak's car has ground to a halt.
Ironically Ketomaa's is back on its wheels and running fine. He'll be given an appropriate penalty tonight for the original crash.
Very weird end to day two.
Several drivers were having to go again because the Ketomaa accident and related yellows forced a stoppage. Ott Tanak was among them as he stopped to help at Ketomaa's crash - but now on the re-run Tanak's car has ground to a halt.
Ironically Ketomaa's is back on its wheels and running fine. He'll be given an appropriate penalty tonight for the original crash.
Very weird end to day two.
WRC - Australia: Real down under tiredness kicking in at the AUTOSPORT desk now – eyes shutting, head falling forward, proper Le Mans-spec. But help is on its way... the press office staff in Coffs Harbour are the best in the world and have provided food. Question is, will chicken curry and Red Bull help or hinder?
Twitter
FR3.5 - Hungaroring: @carlosainz: "Bad qualy. A red flag 2 minutes from the end didnt let us improve on a drying track. Starting p14."
WRC - Australia: Just six stages of Rally Australia remain, and it's advantage Ogier as the Frenchman looks to take another step towards his second WRC crown with victory tomorrow.
Here's the story of the final loop of day two stages:
Ogier stretches Rally Australia lead
Here's the story of the final loop of day two stages:
Ogier stretches Rally Australia lead
FR3.5 - Hungaroring: GLENN FREEMAN also has the full story of a Formula Renault 3.5 qualifying session at a wet Hungaroring, where Oliver Rowland bagged pole position while points leader Carlos Sainz Jr was left high and dry by a red flag:
Rowland on pole, disaster for Sainz
Rowland on pole, disaster for Sainz
Formula E - Beijing: Our report of a rather controversial inaugural Formula E race is also ready for your viewing pleasure.
Lucas Di Grassi will go in the history books as the series' first winner, but we suspect the race will be remembered for an altogether different reason.
It's probably safe to say that Nico Prost won't be able to rely on getting many FanBoost votes for the rest of the year...
Last-lap crash gives di Grassi FE win
Lucas Di Grassi will go in the history books as the series' first winner, but we suspect the race will be remembered for an altogether different reason.
It's probably safe to say that Nico Prost won't be able to rely on getting many FanBoost votes for the rest of the year...
Last-lap crash gives di Grassi FE win
FR3.5 - Hungaroring: As the supporting Formula Renault Eurocup field heads off on its warm-up lap, a bit of housekeeping from its bigger brother:
Luca Ghiotto, Will Buller and Sergey Sirotkin have all been cleared to start the race, despite not setting a time within 107 per cent. No surprise there.
We also caught a brief word with Carlos Sainz Jr in the paddock, and it's safe to say he hasn't perked up yet since sending out despondent Tweet about half an hour ago.
Luca Ghiotto, Will Buller and Sergey Sirotkin have all been cleared to start the race, despite not setting a time within 107 per cent. No surprise there.
We also caught a brief word with Carlos Sainz Jr in the paddock, and it's safe to say he hasn't perked up yet since sending out despondent Tweet about half an hour ago.
Still to come on AUTOSPORT Race Centre Live, we have coverage of the final MotoGP practice session from Misano coming up in about an hour's time, with the first part of qualifying commencing not long after that.
We also have the opening Formula Renault 3.5 race from the Hungaroring later on, as well as DTM action from the Lausitzring - if the fog present at the German track ever clears.
We also have the opening Formula Renault 3.5 race from the Hungaroring later on, as well as DTM action from the Lausitzring - if the fog present at the German track ever clears.
There's also plenty of action to come from the Goodwood Revival, where qualifying for Sunday's RAC TT race gets underway in about 10 minutes.
After that, it will be time for the first part of the St. Mary's Trophy, featuring such touring car aces as Andrew Jordan, Rob Huff and Anthony Reid, with the Shelby Cup, the Lavant Cup and the Whitsun Trophy to come later in the day.
You can watch live coverage of all the above by clicking right here.
After that, it will be time for the first part of the St. Mary's Trophy, featuring such touring car aces as Andrew Jordan, Rob Huff and Anthony Reid, with the Shelby Cup, the Lavant Cup and the Whitsun Trophy to come later in the day.
You can watch live coverage of all the above by clicking right here.
MotoGP - Misano: Moto3 qualifying is approaching its halfway point in Italy, and Marc Marquez's rising star little brother Alex is fastest at the moment ahead of Miguel Oliveira.
Marquez had a nasty crash in practice yesterday, but as usual for that family, he bounced straight back up with no ill effects.
His title rival Jack Miller just had a lap annulled for track limits misbehaviour and is only 23rd.
Marquez had a nasty crash in practice yesterday, but as usual for that family, he bounced straight back up with no ill effects.
His title rival Jack Miller just had a lap annulled for track limits misbehaviour and is only 23rd.
Aston Martin 212
AUTOSPORT's very own BEN ANDERSON is at Goodwood today, and will be taking part in the St. Mary's Trophy alongside ex-BTCC champion Robb Gravett.
He's been busy prowling the paddock too, happening across the cover star for this week's magazine - and it's not Lewis Hamilton or Nico Rosberg.
Instead, it's the rather gorgeous looking Project 212 Aston Martin, a star of the prestigious TT celebration race as well as our latest track test.
Twitter
DTM - Lausitzring: We're hearing that, owing to the weather in Germany, that there will be a single free practice session for DTM commencing in about half an hour's time.
That will come as some comfort to the rather bored-looking guys on the BMW pitwall at Lausitz, as the team's official Twitter account tweets...
That will come as some comfort to the rather bored-looking guys on the BMW pitwall at Lausitz, as the team's official Twitter account tweets...
MotoGP - Misano: Into the last few minutes of Moto3 qualifying, and Miller has made good progress, jumping onto the front row alongside title rival Marquez.
Now both have been jumped by Marquez's Monlau team-mate Alex Rins, who still has a championship shot too.
Now both have been jumped by Marquez's Monlau team-mate Alex Rins, who still has a championship shot too.
Moto3 - Misano: A double blow for Alex Marquez as he has a minor fall and finds himself bundled back to fourth on the grid as Miller goes quickest and Niki Ajo flies up to second.
Marquez got straight back up again and his bike doesn't look too bent. Less than a minute to go.
Marquez got straight back up again and his bike doesn't look too bent. Less than a minute to go.
Rain
FR3.5 - Hungaroring: Around 40 minutes to go until the start of FR3.5 race one at the Hungaroring, and rain is falling. The sky looks pretty gloomy on the horizon so there's no sign that this is a passing shower.
Checkered flag
Moto3 - Misano: Marquez bailed out and took his battered bike back to the pits, so starts fourth.
Here's the grid for tomorrow morning's race:
1 Jack Miller
2 Niki Ajo
3 Alex Rins
4 Alex Marquez
5 Miguel Oliveira
6 Danny Kent
7 Niccolo Antonelli
8 Isaac Vinales
9 Efren Vazquez
10 Brad Binder
Romano Fenati did slightly better than of late in 11th, despite his huge crash this morning, and Wayne Gardner's son Remy starts his world championship debut from 33rd.
Here's the grid for tomorrow morning's race:
1 Jack Miller
2 Niki Ajo
3 Alex Rins
4 Alex Marquez
5 Miguel Oliveira
6 Danny Kent
7 Niccolo Antonelli
8 Isaac Vinales
9 Efren Vazquez
10 Brad Binder
Romano Fenati did slightly better than of late in 11th, despite his huge crash this morning, and Wayne Gardner's son Remy starts his world championship debut from 33rd.
FR3.5 - Hungaroring: That rain has prompted a quick tyre change just before David Coulthard heads out for his latest F1 demo run in the 2012 Red Bull. He's wisely taken on a set of wets.
British F3 - Donington Park: Meanwhile, in the somewhat less glamorous East Midlands, title rivals and Fortec team-mates Matt Rao and Martin Cao have secured a pole position each for this weekend's British F3 season finale:
Rao and Cao share poles for decider
Rao and Cao share poles for decider
FR3.5 - Hungaroring: Nice diligence from some of the Hungaroring marshals, who have greeted 'DC' on his sighting lap with the red and yellow 'slippery surface' flag.
The rain is very heavy now, in the space of just a lap for the F1 car it's gone from slightly damp to wet enough for the Pirelli tyres to kick up a lot of spray.
The rain is very heavy now, in the space of just a lap for the F1 car it's gone from slightly damp to wet enough for the Pirelli tyres to kick up a lot of spray.
Twitter
Evans
GP2 ace Mitch Evans has just tweeted a picture of himself with long-time mentor Mark Webber at the Goodwood Revival, looking suitably dressed for the occasion.
Breaking news
WRC - Australia: Big news in the Rally Australia podium battle as Kris Meeke is hit with a penalty. Click here for the full story.
FR3.5 - Hungaroring: This rain is surely good news for championship leader Sainz, as he's starting out of position down in 14th and this is not an easy track to overtake on in the dry.
There's a similarity here to the corresponding race last year, where eventual champion Kevin Magnussen charged from 16th on the grid to second in wet conditons.
Sainz, then a newcomer to FR3.5, was also a star that day, climbing from the back of the field to seventh and setting the fastest lap.
Less than half an hour to the start of the race.
There's a similarity here to the corresponding race last year, where eventual champion Kevin Magnussen charged from 16th on the grid to second in wet conditons.
Sainz, then a newcomer to FR3.5, was also a star that day, climbing from the back of the field to seventh and setting the fastest lap.
Less than half an hour to the start of the race.
MotoGP - Misano: Free practice four is running at Misano now. It's not usually the most significant session (though that never seems to stop people shunting in it), but with Friday having been so wet, teams still have a lot of set-up work to do on the dry track.
Every session - wet or dry - has been topped by a Ducati so far this weekend, but right now it's a Yamaha 1-2 for Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo, while Marc Marquez just had a brief visit to the runoff area.
Every session - wet or dry - has been topped by a Ducati so far this weekend, but right now it's a Yamaha 1-2 for Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo, while Marc Marquez just had a brief visit to the runoff area.
Crash
MotoGP - Misano: Crash for Scott Redding. He's unhurt and is straight onto a scooter back to the pits.
It was a relatively gentle low-side so the Gresini Honda should be alright for Q1.
It was a relatively gentle low-side so the Gresini Honda should be alright for Q1.
Crash
MotoGP - Misano: Another crasher, and it's a weird one for Avintia rider Mike di Meglio, who looked like he was surfing on the side of his bike for a while. He's also unhurt.
WRC
WRC - Australia: The arrival of a naked man in the Rally Australia service park caused something of a stir this morning, but any concerns regarding this being a family show were cast aside by one local.
"Mate," he said (predictably), "I'm not worried about him being in the buff, but I am worried that he hasn't got any Factor 50 on."
FR3.5 - Hungaroring: Sainz is testing the limits on his reconnaissance laps from the pits to the grid. He's just had a big slide under braking for Turn 1 and gone wide.
He's not the only one to have had a moment, but he's the most interesting...
The track is still very wet in places, but the wind has picked up and it looks like the rain has eased.
Poleman Rowland joins the list of drivers to go off making their way to the grid - we've spied him running wide at the penultimate corner.
He's not the only one to have had a moment, but he's the most interesting...
The track is still very wet in places, but the wind has picked up and it looks like the rain has eased.
Poleman Rowland joins the list of drivers to go off making their way to the grid - we've spied him running wide at the penultimate corner.
By: Matt Beer, Glenn Freeman, AUTOSPORT staff, Andrew van Leeuwen, David Evans, Dan Cross, Kevin Turner
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